"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Keith G" wrote in message

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
...
"Keith G" wrote in message

It is a C03U multi-pattern and I reckon it's rather
good, but the problem with it is I get such a tiny
signal from it connected direct to the computer and
can't see any way of increasing it before recording.
Should I be using some sort of pre-amplification or is
it better to jack up the levels in the recording - I'm
having to increase the signal at least +6dB..??


Why are you concerned about increasing the signal by
just 6 dB?



Interesting. I type 'at least +6dB' you see 'just 6
dB'....

If you said 30 dB, or if you were having problems with hiss from the mic,
then I'd get a little more worried.

6 dB, 10 dB, that's just a small misunderstanding.



OK Arny, try this: when using the USB mic, I frequently have to boost the
signal by 12 dB or so to get a good showing in the software. As a long-term
recordist, due you think this is deleterious to the sound quality or would
hardware preamplification (if I could find any*) be a better way to go?


*Plenty of 'Blue Icicle' type XLR/USB and 'MicPort' *converters*:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r2Du_1r8VE


.....but no USB/USB preamplifiers, from what I can see.